Systems and devices for controlling camera privacy in wearable devices

ABSTRACT

Systems and devices for controlling camera privacy in wearable devices are described. A camera cover can be provided that is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the camera cover can occlude a field of view of a camera, such that the camera cannot capture meaningful data. In the open position, the camera cover can be at least partially out of the field of view of the camera, such that the camera can capture meaningful data. The camera cover can be positioned within a housing of the wearable device, and an actuator can be positioned external to the housing of the wearable device. A user can move the camera cover by moving the actuator.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices are commonplace throughout most of the world today.Advancements in integrated circuit technology have enabled thedevelopment of electronic devices that are sufficiently small andlightweight to be carried by the user. Such “portable” electronicdevices may include on-board power supplies (such as batteries or otherpower storage systems) and may be “wireless” (i.e., designed to operatewithout any wire-connections to other, non-portable electronic systems);however, a small and lightweight electronic device may still beconsidered portable even if it includes a wire-connection to anon-portable electronic system. For example, a microphone may beconsidered a portable electronic device whether it is operatedwirelessly or through a wire-connection.

The convenience afforded by the portability of electronic devices hasfostered a huge industry. Smartphones, audio players, laptop computers,tablet computers, and ebook readers are all examples of portableelectronic devices. However, the convenience of being able to carry aportable electronic device has also introduced the inconvenience ofhaving one's hand(s) encumbered by the device itself. This problem isaddressed by making an electronic device not only portable, butwearable.

A wearable electronic device is any portable electronic device that auser can carry without physically grasping, clutching, or otherwiseholding onto the device with their hands. For example, a wearableelectronic device may be attached or coupled to the user by a strap orstraps, a band or bands, a clip or clips, an adhesive, a pin and clasp,an article of clothing, tension or elastic support, an interference fit,an ergonomic form, etc. Examples of wearable electronic devices includedigital wristwatches, electronic armbands, electronic rings, electronicankle-bracelets or “anklets,” head-mounted electronic display units,hearing aids, and so on.

Because they are worn on the body of the user, and typically visible toothers, and generally present for long periods of time, form factor(i.e., size, geometry, and appearance) is a major design considerationin wearable electronic devices.

Wearable devices can include head-mounted wearable devices, which aredevices to be worn on a user's head when in use. Wearable head-mounteddevices can include head-mounted displays and can also includehead-mounted devices which do not include displays.

A head-mounted display is an electronic device that is worn on a user'shead and, when so worn, secures at least one electronic display within aviewable field of at least one of the user's eyes. A wearable heads-updisplay is a head-mounted display that enables the user to see displayedcontent but also does not prevent the user from being able to see theirexternal environment. The “display” component of a wearable heads-updisplay is either transparent or at a periphery of the user's field ofview so that it does not completely block the user from being able tosee their external environment. Examples of wearable heads-up displaysinclude: the Google Glass®, the Optinvent Ora®, the Epson Moverio®, andthe Microsoft Hololens® just to name a few.

A head-mounted device which does not include a display can include othercomponents, such as a camera, microphone, and/or speakers. Examples ofhead-mounted devices which do not include a display include: the SnapInc. Spectacles®, and the Bose Frames®, to name a couple.

Wearable devices can include at least one camera, which can be used forapplications like capturing photographs, as well as for applicationslike computer vision, where at least one image captured by a camera isanalyzed by at least one processor. Head-mounted wearable devices inparticular benefit from the inclusion of at least one camera, sincethese devices are worn on a user's head and the at least one camera canbe positioned and oriented to capture data which approximates a user'sfield of view. However, other wearable devices, such as smartwatches forexample, could include at least one camera.

The inclusion of a camera in wearable devices can raise privacyconcerns. In particular, enabling wearable devices to discreetly captureimages can lead to socially and/or legally unacceptable actions.Examples of such actions can include capturing comprising data of otherpeople (e.g. voyeurism), and capturing data of secrets (e.g. espionage).Such actions can be deliberate on the part of the user, or could beunintentional on the part of the user, such as if the wearable deviceincludes computer vision applications which run autonomously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elementsor acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of variouselements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some ofthese elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improvedrawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements asdrawn are not necessarily intended to convey any information regardingthe actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solelyselected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial-cutaway perspective view of an exemplary wearabledevice in accordance with the present systems and devices.

FIG. 2 is a top cutaway view of an exemplary wearable device inaccordance with the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, are respective front views of exemplary wearabledevices, illustrating exemplary camera positions in accordance with atleast implementations of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respective front partial cutaway views of a cameraprivacy system implemented in a wearable device, in accordance with atleast one implementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are respective rear views of an exemplary actuatorof a wearable device, which can be used to actuate any of the cameraprivacy systems described herein, in accordance with at least oneimplementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are respective top cutaway views of an exemplarycoupling between an actuator and a camera cover, in accordance with atleast one implementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are respective top cutaway views of another exemplarycoupling between an actuator and a camera cover, in accordance with atleast one implementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are respective front views of an exemplary camerahousing which could be implemented in the wearable devices describedherein, in accordance with at least one exemplary implementation of thepresent systems and devices.

FIG. 9 is a front partial cutaway view of an exemplary wearable devicewhich includes external information indicators, according to at leastone exemplary implementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are respective rear views of wearable devices, whichillustrate exemplary actuator shapes and positions in accordance with atleast two exemplary implementations of the present systems and devices.

FIG. 10C is a front view of a wearable device, which illustrates anexemplary actuator shape and position in accordance with at least oneexemplary implementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 10D and 10E are respective top partial cutaway views of wearabledevices, which illustrate exemplary actuator shapes and positions inaccordance with at least two exemplary implementations of the presentsystems and devices.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are respective front partial cutaway views of a cameraprivacy system implemented in a wearable device which can include atleast one restrain member, in accordance with at least oneimplementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are respective front partial cutaway views of a cameraprivacy system implemented in a wearable device which can include atleast one bias member, in accordance with at least one implementation ofthe present systems and devices.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an exemplary component which includes acamera cover, which can be implemented in camera privacy systemsdiscussed herein.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are respective front partial cutaway views of anothercamera privacy system implemented in a wearable device, in accordancewith at least one implementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are respective front partial cutaway views of yetanother camera privacy system implemented in a wearable device, inaccordance with at least one implementation of the present systems anddevices.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are respective front partial cutaway views of anothercamera privacy system implemented in a wearable device, which caninclude an actuator motor, in accordance with at least oneimplementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are respective front partial cutaway views of anothercamera privacy system implemented in a wearable device, which caninclude a position detector for a camera cover, in accordance with atleast one implementation of the present systems and devices.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are respective top cutaway views which illustrate adetection circuit, in accordance with at least one implementation of thepresent systems and devices.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are respective top cutaway views which illustrate adetection circuit and sensor, in accordance with at least oneimplementation of the present systems and devices.

FIG. 20 is an isometric exposed view of a wearable device including setsof electrically conductive pathways, in accordance with at least oneimplementation of the present systems and devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures associated with portable electronicdevices and head-worn devices, have not been shown or described indetail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its broadest sense, that is as meaning “and/or”unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are forconvenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of theembodiments.

The various embodiments described herein provide systems and devices forcontrolling camera privacy in wearable devices.

As described herein, in some cases it is desirable for wearable devicesto make bystanders aware when data is being captured by a camera.Additionally, it is desirable for bystanders to feel comfortable knowingwhen data is NOT being captured by a camera. If a wearable deviceincludes a visible camera, bystanders may be unsure whether or not datais being captured, even if the camera is not active. Further, it isdesirable to provide a means to deactivate, occlude, or otherwisedisable use of a camera of a wearable device to prevent the occurrenceof unacceptable actions.

Described herein are techniques and systems for wearable devices toindicate when data is, and when data is not, being captured by a camera.In some embodiments, a wearable device includes: a support structure tobe worn by a user; a camera carried by the support structure; a cameracover carried by the support structure, the camera cover movable betweena closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed positionthe camera cover occludes a field of view of the camera, and in the openposition the camera cover is at least partially out of the field of viewof the camera; and an actuator coupled to the camera cover to move thecamera cover between the closed position and the open position.

The wearable device may further include a first member, the actuatorcoupled to the camera cover via the first member. The camera cover maybe rotatable about a pivot positioned on the first member, the closedposition of the camera cover may correspond to an angular position ofthe camera cover where the camera cover occludes the field of view ofthe camera, and the open position of the camera cover may correspond toan angular position of the camera cover where the camera cover is atleast partially out of the field of view of the camera. The actuator maybe directly coupled to the first member. The wearable device may furtherinclude a second member which couples the actuator to the first member.The camera cover and the first member may be an integrated component.

The actuator may be a sliding actuator slidable along a first axisbetween a first position and a second position, wherein in the firstposition the actuator holds the camera cover in the closed position, andin the second position the actuator holds the camera cover in the openposition. The wearable device may further include a cam to translate thecamera cover in a direction non-parallel to the first axis when theactuator transitions between the first position and the second position.

The wearable device may further include a bias member which biases thecamera cover towards either the closed position or the open position.

The wearable device may further include at least one restrain memberwhich limits a range of motion of the camera cover to between the closedposition and the open position.

The support structure may include a housing, the camera and the cameracover may be positioned within the housing, and the actuator may bepositioned external to the housing. The housing may be waterproof. Thecamera cover may be visible from outside the housing when the cameracover is in the closed position.

The actuator may be magnetically coupled to the camera cover. Theactuator may be mechanically coupled to the camera cover.

The actuator may include a mechanical actuator which is operated bymechanical force applied by a user.

The actuator may include a motor. The support structure may include ahousing, wherein the camera, the camera cover, and the actuator arepositioned within the housing.

The actuator may be flush with a surface of the support structure. Theactuator may project outside of a surface of the support structure. Theactuator may be sunken into a surface of the support structure.

The support structure may include: a first arm to be positioned on afirst side of head of a user; a second arm to be positioned on a secondside of the head of the user opposite the first side; and a front framecoupled to the first arm and the second arm, the front frame to bepositioned on a front of the head of the user. The camera, the cameracover, and the actuator may be carried by the front frame. The actuatormay be positioned on a user-side of the front frame. The actuator may bepositioned on a top of the front frame.

The camera cover may be visible from a world-side of the front framewhen the camera cover is in the closed position, and the camera may bevisible from a world-side of the front frame when the camera cover is inthe open position.

The wearable device may further include a detection circuit to determinewhether the camera cover is in the closed position or the open position.

The actuator may be magnetically coupled to the camera cover, and thewearable device may further include a magnet sensor to determine whetherthe camera cover is in the closed position or the open position.

FIG. 1 is a partial-cutaway perspective view of an exemplary wearabledevice 100 in accordance with the present systems and devices. Wearabledevice 100 includes a first arm 110, a second arm 120, and a front frame130 which is physically coupled to first arm 110 and second arm 120.When worn by a user, first arm 110 is to be positioned on a first sideof a head of the user, second arm 120 is to be positioned on a secondside of a head of a user opposite the first side of the head of theuser, and front frame 130 is to be positioned on a front side of thehead of a user. First arm 110 optionally carries a light engine assembly111 which outputs light representative of display content to be viewedby a user. First arm 110 may also optionally carry several additionalcomponents of wearable device 100, such as at least one processor, atleast one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, or a powersupply circuit, for example. Front frame 130 optionally carries anoptical combiner 131 in a field of view of the user which receives lightoutput from the light engine assembly 111 and redirects this light toform a display to be viewed by the user. In the case of FIG. 1, thedisplay will be a monocular display visible to a right eye of a user.Second arm 120 as shown in FIG. 1 carries a power source 121 whichpowers the components of wearable device 100. Front frame 130 alsocarries a camera 132. Front frame 130 also carries at least one set ofelectrically conductive current paths 140 which provide electricalcoupling between power source 121 and light engine 111, and any otherelectrical components carried by first arm 110. The at least one set ofelectrically conductive current paths 140 can also provide electricalcoupling between camera 132 and other components of wearable device 100,including power source 121 and/or at least one processor carried bywearable device 100.

“Power source” as used herein can refer to a component which provideselectrical power. This could include for example a source of storedpower such as a battery, including a chemical battery or a mechanicalbattery, or could include power generation systems such as piezoelectricelements, solar cells, or similar. A “set of electrically conductivecurrent paths” as used herein can refer to a single electricallyconductive current path, such as a wire or conductive trace on a printedcircuit board, as well as a plurality of electrically conductive currentpaths, such as a plurality of wires or a plurality of conductive traceson a printed circuit board. Further, for a set of electricallyconductive current paths to provide electrical coupling, at least onecurrent path in the set can provide the coupling. It is possible, butnot necessary, that a plurality or all of the electrically conductivecurrent paths in the set provide the coupling. Further, for one set ofelectrically conductive current paths to provide electrical coupling toanother set of electrically conductive current paths, at least onecurrent path in the one set should couple to at least one current pathin the other set. It is possible, but not necessary, for eachelectrically conductive current path in the one set to couple to arespective electrically conductive current path in the other set. It isalso possible that either of the sets of electrically conductive currentpaths could act as fan-in or fan-out paths, in which the number ofconductors in one set of electrically conductive current paths isgreater or less than the number of conductors in the other set ofelectrically conductive current paths.

Detailed implementations of how such a monocular arrangement can beimplemented are discussed in for example U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/862,355. However, such an arrangement is merelyexemplary. As another example, the orientation of wearable device 100could be reversed, such that the display is presented to a left eye of auser instead of the right eye. As another example, second arm 120 couldcarry a light engine assembly similar to light engine assembly 111carried by first arm 110, and front frame 130 could also carry anoptical combiner similar to optical combiner 131, such that wearabledevice 100 presents a binocular display to both a right eye and a lefteye of a user. As another example, wearable device 100 may not include alight engine or optical combiner at all, such that wearable device 100is a wearable device which does not include a display.

Light engine assembly 111 and optical combiner 131 can include anyappropriate display architecture for outputting light and redirectingthe light to form a display to be viewed by a user. For example, lightengine 111, and any of the light engines discussed herein, could includeat least one component selected from a group including at least: one ofa projector, a scanning laser projector, a microdisplay, a white-lightsource, or any other display technology as appropriate for a givenapplication. Optical combiner 131, and any of the optical combinersdiscussed herein, could include at least one optical component selectedfrom a group including at least: a waveguide, at least one holographicoptical element, at least one prism, a diffraction grating, at least onelight reflector, a light reflector array, at least one light refractor,a light refractor array, or any other light-redirection technology asappropriate for a given application, positioned and oriented to redirectthe display light towards the eye of the user. Optical combiner 131 canbe carried by a lens, and the lens can be carried by front frame 130.For example, optical combiner 131 could be: a layer formed as part of alens, a layer adhered to a lens, a layer embedded within a lens, a layersandwiched between at least two lenses, or any other appropriatearrangement. A layer can for example be molded or cast, and/or couldinclude a thin film and/or coating. Alternatively, optical combiner 131could be a lens carried by front frame 130. Further, a “lens” as usedherein can refer to a plano lens which applies no optical power and doesnot correct a user's vision, or a “lens” can be a prescription lenswhich applies an optical power to incoming light to correct a user'svision.

Exemplary display architectures could include for example scanning laserprojector and holographic optical element combinations, side-illuminatedoptical waveguide displays, pin-light displays, or any other wearableheads-up display technology as appropriate for a given application.Exemplary display architectures are described in at least U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/025,820, U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/145,576, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/807,856, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/754,339, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/782,918, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/789,908, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/845,956, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/791,514.

The term “light engine” as used herein is not limited to referring to asingular light source, but can also refer to a plurality of lightsources, and can also refer to a “light engine assembly”. A light engineassembly may include some components which enable the light engine tofunction, or which improve operation of the light engine. As oneexample, a light engine assembly could include at least one lightsource, such as a laser or a plurality of lasers. The light engineassembly may additionally include electrical components such as drivercircuitry to power the at least one light source. The light engineassembly may additionally include optical components such as collimationlenses, a beam combiner, or beam shaping optics. The light engineassembly may additionally include beam redirection optics such as leastone MEMS mirror, which can be operated to scan light from at least onelaser light source such as in a scanning laser projector. In the aboveexample, the light engine assembly includes not only a light source, butalso components which take the output from at least one light source andproduce conditioned display light. All of the components in the lightengine assembly can be included in a housing of the light engineassembly, could be affixed to a substrate of the light engine assemblysuch as a printed circuit board or similar, or could be separatelymounted components of a wearable device.

The term “optical combiner” as used herein can also refer to an “opticalcombiner assembly”. An optical combiner assembly may include additionalcomponents which support or enable functionality of the opticalcombiner. As one example, a waveguide combiner may be very thin, andconsequently very fragile. To this end, it may be desirable to positionthe waveguide combiner within or on a transparent carrier, such as alens. An optical combiner assembly could be a package which includes thetransparent carrier and the waveguide positioned therein or thereon. Asanother example, an optical combiner assembly could include aprescription component, which applies an optical power to incoming lightto compensate for imperfect user eyesight. Such a prescription componentcould include curvature applied to a transparent carrier itself, orcould include a component additional to the transparent carrier, such asa clip-in or add-on lens.

Several exemplary wearable devices are described below, which furtherillustrate various features of the present systems and devices. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the specific features describedin the below implementations can be combined as appropriate, such thatthe present disclosure is not restricted to only the implementationsdiscussed below, but also includes any reasonable combination of thefeatures of the implementations discussed herein.

FIG. 2 is a top cutaway view of an exemplary wearable device 200 inaccordance with the present systems and devices. Similar to wearabledevice 100, wearable device 200 includes a first arm 210, a second arm220, and a front frame 230. First arm 210 is coupled to front frame 230by hinge 219, which allows first arm 210 to rotate relative to frontframe 230. Second arm 220 is coupled to front frame 230 by hinge 229,which allows second arm 220 to rotate relative to front frame 230. FIG.2 illustrates wearable device 200 in an unfolded configuration, in whichfirst arm 210 and second arm 220 are rotated such that wearable device200 can be worn on a head of a user, with first arm 210 positioned on afirst side of the head of the user, second arm 220 positioned on asecond side of the head of the user opposite the first side, and frontframe 230 positioned on a front of the head of the user. Both first arm210 and second arm 220 can be folded to be approximately parallel tofront frame 230, such that wearable device 200 will be in a compactshape which fits conveniently in a slim rectangular, cylindrical, oroblong case.

Alternatively, first arm 210 and second arm 220 could be rigidly coupledto front frame 230, such that wearable device 200 does not transitionbetween a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.

First arm 210 can carry at least one processor 212, non-transitoryprocessor-readable storage medium 213, and power supply circuit 214.Second arm 220 can carry power source 221. Front frame 230 can carry atleast one camera 232. FIG. 2 illustrates two cameras 232 on oppositeends of front frame 230, but one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe exact number of cameras, and the specific position of the cameras,could be chosen as appropriate for a given wearable device design. Forexample, wearable device 200 could include only a single camera, orcould include two, three, four, five, six, or more cameras. FIGS. 3A,3B, and 3C illustrate several exemplary camera positions. Further,although the at least one camera 232 is shown as being carried by frontframe, at least one of cameras 232 could be carried by first arm 210 orsecond arm 220.

FIG. 2 does not illustrate wearable device 200 as including a lightengine or display optics. Wearable device 200 could be a device whichdoes not include such a light engine or display optics, or wearabledevice 200 could include any appropriate display architecture, such asthose described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/025,820, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/145,576, U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/807,856, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/754,339, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/782,918, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/789,908, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/845,956, and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/791,514.

Wearable device 200 can include at least one set of electricallyconductive current paths 240. The set of electrically conductive currentpaths 240 can provide electrical coupling between power source 221 insecond arm 220 and electrical components in first arm 210, eitherdirectly or indirectly through power supply circuit 214. Detailedimplementations of electrically conductive current paths are describedin at least U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/862,355.

Power supply circuit 214 provides power from power source 221 to atleast one processor 212 and non-transitory processor-readable storagemedium 213, and any other electrical components that may be carried byfirst arm 210, as shown by solid lines connecting power supply circuit214 to other components. Power supply circuit 214 can optionallymodulate the power from power source 221, such as by modulating thevoltage or current of the power to be delivered to each of theelectrical components. Each electrical component may receive the samemodulated power signal from power supply circuit 214, each component mayreceive a different modulated power signal from power supply circuit214, or some components may receive the same modulated power signal frompower supply circuit 214 while other components receive a differentmodulated power signal from power supply circuit 214.

The at least one processor 212 can be communicatively coupled to each ofthe electrical components in wearable device 200 as shown by dashedlines connecting components, including but not limited to non-transitoryprocessor readable storage medium 213 and power supply circuit 214. Theat least one processor 212 can be any suitable component which canexecute instructions or logic, including but not limited to amicro-controller, microprocessor, multi-core processor,integrated-circuit, ASIC, FPGA, programmable logic device, or anyappropriate combination of these components. Non-transitoryprocessor-readable storage medium 213 may store processor readableinstructions thereon, which when executed by at least one processor 212can cause the at least one processor to execute any number of functions,including receiving user input, managing user interfaces, generatingdisplay content to be presented to a user, receiving and managing datafrom any sensors carried by wearable device 200, receiving andprocessing external data and messages, and/or any other functions asappropriate for a given application. The non-transitoryprocessor-readable storage medium 213 can be any suitable componentwhich can store instructions, logic, or programs, including but notlimited to non-volatile or volatile memory, read only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), FLASH memory, registers, magnetic hard disk,optical disk, or any combination of these components.

The terms “carry”, “carries” or similar used herein do not necessarilydictate that one component physically supports another component. Forexample, components “carried by” first arm 210 could be mounted to orwithin first arm 210 such that first arm 210 physically supports saidcomponents. However, the term “carry” could also describe a direct orindirect coupling relationship, even when first arm 210 is notnecessarily physically supporting components. As an example, in someimplementations such as those disclosed in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/890,269, a hinge of a wearable device can supportboth an arm of the wearable device and components in the arm of thewearable device, with no direct supporting relationship between thecomponents and the arm. This can be true of any of the componentrelationships described herein where one component “carries” another.

Wearable display 200 can include a set of electrically conductivecurrent paths 244 coupled to the at least one camera 232. As shown bysolid lines in FIG. 2, the set of electrically conductive current paths244 can also extend between power supply circuit 214 and camera 232 toprovide power to the camera 232. Further, as shown by dashed lines, theset of electrically conductive current paths 244 can also extend betweenthe at least one processor 212 and camera 232, so that the at least oneprocessor 212 can control camera 232, and so that camera 232 can providecaptured visual data to the at least one processor 212. Since the set ofelectrically conductive current paths 244 can act as a transmissionmedium for both power and data, the set of electrically conductivecurrent paths 244 can include at least two conductors, one for power,and one for data. For example, the set of electrically conductivecurrent paths 244 could include a flexible printed circuit boardincluding at least two conductive traces. Alternatively, the set ofelectrically conductive current paths 244 could include at least twoseparate wires. Detailed implementations of current paths connected tocameras can be found in at least U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/862,355.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are respective front views which illustrateexemplary camera positions for wearable devices described herein. FIGS.3A, 3B, and 3C are front views in that a front frame 330 of each of thewearable devices is illustrated as would be seen by a bystander lookingat the front of the wearable devices. Front frame 330 in each of FIGS.3A, 3B, and 3C can be similar to front frame 130 in FIG. 1 and frontframe 230 illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A illustrates a wearable device 300 a which includes a camera 332positioned at an upper-right corner of front frame 330 as seen by abystander (upper-left corner from a perspective of a user), proximal towhere an arm would couple to front frame 330, such as second arm 120illustrated in FIG. 1 or second arm 220 illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B illustrates a wearable device 300 b which includes a camera 332positioned at an upper-left corner of front frame 330 as seen by abystander (upper-right corner from a perspective of a user), proximal towhere an arm would couple to front frame 330, such as first arm 110illustrated in FIG. 1 or first arm 210 illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3C illustrates a wearable device 300 c which includes a camera 332positioned on nose-bridge of front frame 330.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate three exemplary camera positions on awearable device. However, any camera position is within the scope of thepresent disclosure, as appropriate for a given application. Further,when multiple cameras are included in a single wearable device, saidcameras can be implemented in a plurality of positions. As an example,FIG. 2 illustrates two cameras 232 included in a wearable device 200,one of said cameras 232 positioned in the position shown in FIG. 3A, andanother of said cameras 232 positioned in the position shown in FIG. 3B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are front partial cutaway views of a camera privacysystem implemented in a wearable device 400. Wearable device 400 can besimilar to wearable device 300 a in FIG. 3A, in that a camera 490 can bepositioned at an upper-right corner of wearable device 400 from abystander perspective (upper-left corner from a user perspective). FIGS.4A and 4B show a zoomed in view which focuses on the camera position.Further, the features described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B arealso applicable to wearable devices with differently positioned cameras,such as those described with reference to FIGS. 3B and 3C.

FIG. 4A illustrates a camera cover 410 in a closed position, in whichcamera cover 410 occludes a field of view of a camera 490. FIG. 4Billustrates camera cover 410 in an open position, where camera cover 410is at least partially out of the field of view of camera 490. Cameracover 410 can be coupled to an actuator (not shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B),such as those described later with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A,6B, 7A, 7B, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 16A, and 16B. The actuator cancause the camera cover to move between the open position and the closedposition.

In the case of wearable device 400, a member 420 can couple the actuatorto camera cover 410. Member 420 can be integrally formed with cameracover 410 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or member 420 could be a separatecomponent coupled to camera cover 410. A pivot 430 can be positioned onmember 420. In an exemplary construction, pivot 430 could include a pinor similar mounted in wearable device 400, and rotatably coupled tomember 420. In this way, member 420 can rotate about the pin. In turn,camera cover 410 can rotate about pivot 430, such that a first angularposition of camera cover 410 can correspond to the closed position asillustrated in FIG. 4A, and a second angular position of camera cover410 can correspond to the open position as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Inthis way, by actuating member 420, camera cover 410 can be moved betweenthe closed position and the open position.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are respective rear views which illustrate anexemplary wearable device 500 which includes an exemplary actuator 550,which can be used to actuate any of the camera covers described herein.FIG. 5A illustrates a rear view of wearable device 500. FIGS. 5B and 5Cillustrate zoomed-in views of the wearable device 500, which focus onactuator 550. Arms of wearable device 500 are not illustrated in FIGS.5A, 5B, and 5C to more clearly show features being described.

In FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, actuator 550 is slidable in the direction of anaxis 560 between a first position illustrated in FIG. 5B and secondposition illustrated in FIG. 5C. Actuator 550 can be moved between thefirst position and the second position by a physical force applied bythe user. For example, the user may use a finger to push or flickactuator from the first position to the second position, or from thesecond position to the first position. Actuator 550 can be coupled to acamera cover such as those described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 8A,8B, 8C, 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 17A, and 17B. Inthis way, by controlling the position of actuator 550, the user cancontrol the position of the camera cover.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are respective top cutaway views which illustrate anexemplary coupling between an actuator and a camera cover. Actuator 550can be coupled to camera cover 410 via member 420. In the example ofFIGS. 6A and 6B, actuator 550 can be mechanically coupled to member 420,such as by a pin 652.

FIG. 6A illustrates actuator 550 in a first position, corresponding tothe first position of actuator 550 illustrated in FIG. 5B. Further,member 420 is in a position in which the camera cover 410 will be heldin the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 4A. The pin 652 can holdmember 420 in the position illustrated in FIG. 6A, such that whenactuator 550 is in the first position, camera cover 410 is in the closedposition.

FIG. 6B illustrates actuator 550 in a second position corresponding tothe second position of actuator 550 illustrated in FIG. 5C. Further,member 420 is in a position in which camera cover 410 will be held inthe open position as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The pin 652 can hold member420 in the position illustrated in FIG. 6B, such that when actuator 550is in the second position, camera cover 410 is in the open position.

When the user moves actuator 550 between the first position and thesecond position, the force applied by pin 652 on member 420 will causemember 420 to move with actuator 550, and will consequently cause cameracover 410 to move between the closed position and the open position.

Optionally, actuator 550 can include or be coupled to a stabilizer 654.In the example of FIGS. 6A and 6B, stabilizer 654 can be a componentwhich has a larger area in at least one direction, which fits in arecess of the wearable device to prevent the actuator 550 from tippingor bending outside of the desired direction of movement.

Generally, it is desirable to position camera 490 within a housing, inorder to protect camera 490 from dust, moisture, and physical damage.Further, since camera cover 410 and member 420 can potentially be smalland delicate components, it can be desirable to also provide aprotective housing around camera cover 410 and member 420.Advantageously, the coupling between actuator 550 and camera cover 410via member 420 and pin 652 provides an actuator 550 externallyaccessible on a wearable device, which can move a camera cover 410internally positioned in a housing of the wearable device. This allowscamera cover 410 and camera 490 to be positioned within a protectivehousing.

With wearable devices, it can be important to provide a water resistantor waterproof housing around camera 490, since the user may not be ableto remove and/or protect their wearable devices in circumstances such asrain. However, in the examples of FIGS. 6A and 6B, pin 652 passesbetween the external actuator 550 and the internal member 420, which canresult in an aperture through which moisture and dust may enter thehousing. To address this, a barrier 660 can be provided. Barrier 660 canbe a flexible membrane or bushing which provides a water and/or dustresistant seal around pin 652, thereby enabling camera 490, camera cover410, and member 420 to be sealed within a housing.

However, including such a flexible membrane or bushing can increasemanufacturing difficulty and cost, may reduce effectiveness of thesealing, and may reduce durability of the device. FIGS. 7A and 7Bdiscussed below provide a solution to these issues.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are respective top cutaway views which illustrate anexemplary coupling between an actuator and a camera cover. Actuator 550can be magnetically coupled to camera cover 410 via member 420. In theexample of FIGS. 7A and 7B, actuator 550 includes or can be coupled to amagnet 752. Magnet 752 could be a rare-earth magnet, to prevent magnet752 from losing magnetization over time, or magnet 752 could be amagnetized material. Member 420 can be a ferromagnetic material, suchthat member 420 is magnetically attracted to magnet 752, even across abarrier 760.

FIG. 7A illustrates actuator 550 in a first position, corresponding tothe first position of actuator 550 illustrated in FIG. 5B. Further,member 420 is in a position in which camera cover 410 will be in aclosed position as illustrated in FIG. 4A. The magnetic force of magnet752 can hold member 420 in the position illustrated in FIG. 7A, suchthat when actuator 550 is in the first position, camera cover 410 is inthe closed position.

FIG. 7B illustrates actuator 550 in a second position corresponding tothe second position of actuator 550 illustrated in FIG. 5C. Further,member 420 is in a position in which camera cover 410 is in the openposition as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The magnetic force of magnet 752 canhold member 420 in the position illustrated in FIG. 7B, such that whenactuator 550 is in the second position, camera cover 410 is in the openposition.

When the user moves actuator 550 between the first position and thesecond position, the magnetic force applied by magnet 752 on member 420will cause member 420 to move with magnet 752, and will consequentlycause camera cover 410 to move between the closed position and the openposition.

In alternative implementations, actuator 550 could include or be coupledto a ferromagnetic material, and member 420 could include or be coupledto a magnet, to achieve similar actuation of the camera cover describedabove.

Advantageously, by coupling actuator 550 to member 420 magnetically,design and manufacturability of a camera housing can be improved. Inparticular, barrier 760 can be rigid, which can be more durable andeasier to manufacture than a flexible barrier, and can provide a moreeffective seal. Barrier 760 can be designed to be thin, so that magnet752 can be of relatively low strength but achieve effective couplingwith member 420.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are respective front views which illustrate anexemplary camera housing in the wearable devices described herein. FIGS.8A, 8B, and 8C are similar in at least some respects to FIG. 3A. FIGS.8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate wearable device 400, and in particularillustrate a front frame 830 of wearable device 400. Front frame 830 canhave an aperture 810, which allows environmental light to enter intowearable device 400 and impinge on camera 490 therein illustrated inFIG. 8A. Aperture 810 may also result in camera 490 being visibleexternal to wearable device 400. Aperture 810 is shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B,and 8C as being square, but in practice any appropriate aperture shapecould be implemented, such as rectangular, circular, or oblong, asexamples.

Aperture 810 can be an unshielded opening, or can be covered by atransparent or translucent shield. Such a shield can help to provide awater and or dust resistant housing. In particular, such a shield couldbe paired with a housing around other sides of camera 490 to provide awater and/or dust resistant housing around camera 490. Further, at leastcamera cover 410 could also be positioned within said housing, asillustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C.

FIG. 8B shows camera cover 410 in the closed position, visible throughaperture 810. In the example of FIG. 8B, camera cover 410 is of minimalsize to occlude a field of view of camera 490. Consequently, even whencamera cover 410 is in the closed position, other components behindfront frame 830 may be visible external to wearable device 400 besidescamera cover 410.

FIG. 8C shows camera cover 410 in the closed position, visible throughaperture 410. In the example of FIG. 8C, camera cover 410 is largeenough such that aperture 810 is completely obscured by camera cover410, and no other components behind front frame 830 are visible.

Having a static shield positioned over aperture 810, with camera cover410 being movable between an open position and a closed position behindfront frame 830, improves manufacturability and robustness of wearabledevice 400. In particular, rather than requiring flexible or dynamicwater and/or dust resistant shielding, a static shield can be cheaperand easier to manufacture and more durable. Further, positioning cameracover 410 and associated components behind front frame 830 can be moreaesthetically appealing.

In the implementations shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, camera 490 isexternally visible when camera cover 410 is in the open position, andcamera cover 410 is externally visible when camera cover 410 is in theclosed position. This can be advantageous for providing informationabout the state of camera 490 to bystanders.

In a first example, camera cover 410 can be colored or patterned suchthat camera cover 410 itself serves as a clearly visible indicator thatcamera 490 cannot capture meaningful data. For example, camera cover 410could be formed of a colored material, or could be coated or paintedwith a colored material. Visibility of this color to bystanders canprovide a clear indication that camera 490 cannot capture meaningfuldata. For example, camera cover 410 could be white in color, and frontframe 830 could be another color such as black. In this example, whencamera cover 410 is in the closed position, white camera cover 410 willbe obvious against black front frame 830, such that bystanders know thatcamera 490 cannot capture meaningful data. On the other hand, whencamera cover 410 is in the open position, white camera cover 410 willnot be visible, and instead camera 490 itself will be visible, such thatbystanders know that camera 490 can capture meaningful data.

However, such a design may be aesthetically unpleasing, and may alsoconfuse bystanders who are not familiar with the wearable device, sincethey may not be aware of how to interpret the presented color. As anexample, if camera cover 410 were red and in the closed position,bystanders may incorrectly interpret this to mean that a camera on thewearable device CAN capture data. This interpretation could arisebecause in other devices, such as video recording devices, a red lightis commonly activated to indicate when a camera is recording.

In a second example, camera cover 410 could be colored or patterned toclosely fit with the design of front frame 830, such that when cameracover 410 is in the closed position, camera 490 is prevented from beingable to capture meaningful data, and camera 490 is obscured from beingvisible to bystanders. In this example, when camera cover 410 is in theopen position such that camera 490 can capture meaningful data, camera490 will also be visible to bystanders, such that bystanders will knowthat camera 490 can capture meaningful data. On the other hand, whencamera cover 410 is in the closed position such that camera 490 cannotcapture meaningful data, camera 490 will not be visible to bystanders.This implementation advantageously eliminates the need for bystanders tobe familiar with the wearable device, in that when bystanders can seethe camera, the camera can see them, whereas when bystanders cannot seethe camera, the camera cannot see them. Bystanders who are not familiarwith the wearable device 400 and are not aware that the wearable device400 includes a camera 490 should not be concerned about being recordedwhen the camera cover 410 is in the closed position, since they cannotsee the camera, and the camera cannot capture meaningful data. On theother hand, bystanders who are not familiar with the wearable device 400will be able to see the camera 490 when camera cover 410 is in the openposition, and will thus know that camera 490 can capture datarepresenting them.

In addition to the above, additional indicators can be provided in thewearable devices described herein, which provide additional informationabout the state and actions of the camera. In this regard, FIG. 9 is afront partial cutaway view of an exemplary wearable device 900, whichcan be similar in at least some respects to wearable device 400described above. Description of components of wearable device 400 can beapplicable to similarly numbered components in wearable device 900illustrated in FIG. 9.

One difference between wearable device 900 and wearable device 400 isthat wearable device 900 includes one or more indicator lights 970. Onlyone indicator light 970 is illustrated in FIG. 9 to avoid clutter, butin practice any appropriate quantity of indicator lights could be used.Indicator light 970 could be for example an LED light. Indicator light970 can be visible externally to bystanders when camera cover 410 is inthe open position (or always visible), to provide additional informationto bystanders. For example, when camera 490 captures data (or shortlybefore), indicator light 970 can activate and produce light visibleexternal to wearable device 900, to be seen by bystanders. In use, thiscould provide an indication to bystanders that not only is camera 490able to capture meaningful data, but that camera 490 is actuallycapturing data.

Another difference between wearable device 900 and wearable device 400is that wearable device 900 includes one or more speakers 971. Only onespeaker 971 is illustrated in FIG. 9 to avoid clutter, but in practiceany appropriate quantity of speakers could be used. Speaker 971 can becapable of generating sound which is audible externally to bystanders,to provide additional information to bystanders. For example, whencamera 490 captures data (or shortly before), speaker 971 can activateand produce a sound audible to bystanders, such as a tone, beep, orcamera shutter noise. In use, this could provide an indication tobystanders that not only is camera 490 able to capture meaningful data,but that camera 490 is actually capturing data.

Speaker 971 could be a high-fidelity speaker capable of outputting asignificant range of sounds to be heard by bystanders. However, tooptimize space and power consumption, it can be desirable for speaker971 to instead be a low-fidelity speaker which is limited to producingbasic sounds, such as tones or beeps. Such low-fidelity sound can besufficient for providing information about camera actions of thewearable device to bystanders.

It is possible for speaker 971 to be positioned near at least oneaperture which allows sound to pass therethrough; however such aperturescan add complexity and cost to making wearable device 900 water and/ordust resistant. Instead, speaker 971 can be positioned within a waterand/or dust resistant housing of wearable device 900, and speaker 971can output sound at a high enough level to be audible through thehousing. If low-fidelity sound is acceptable, muffling of the soundcaused by the housing can also be acceptable. Further, transmission ofsound from speaker 971 through the housing can be improved bypositioning speaker 971 to be in direct contact with the housing.Further, thickness of the housing could be thinner at the position ofspeaker 971, to improve sound transmission.

Although FIG. 9 illustrates wearable device 900 as including bothindicator light 970 and speaker 971, it is within the scope of thepresent disclosure to provide wearable devices with only an indicatorlight or with only a speaker.

More detailed information can be provided to bystanders by presenting“codes” via any available output mechanisms. As one example, in awearable device which only includes a single indicator light and nospeaker, temporal codes such as flashing of the indicator light could beused to provide information to bystanders. As examples, a brief flashcould indicate that an instant of camera data was captured as an image;repetitive flashing could indicate that data is being captured forcomputer vision purposes, and will not be stored; continuous light couldindicate that video data is being captured to be stored for futureviewing.

As another example, in a wearable device with multiple indicator lights,the number or pattern of indicator lights which are active could provideinformation to bystanders. In a wearable device with a speaker,different sounds could be used to provide information to bystanders.

Any of the above could be combined to provide more detailed informationto bystanders. For example, temporal codes could be output by multipleindicator lights, or by a speaker. As another example, indicator lightscould be used in combination with a speaker to provide detailedinformation to bystanders.

In FIG. 9, indicator light 970 and speaker 971 are illustrated as beingpositioned near camera 490. However, this is not necessarily the case,and indicator light 970 and speaker 971 could be positioned anywhere onwearable device 900 as appropriate for a given application.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B above show exemplary implementations ofactuator 550. However, other implementations of actuator are possible,as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E, and discussed below.

FIG. 10A is a rear view of a wearable device which includes an actuator1050 a, which can be similar to actuator 550 discussed above. Arms ofthe wearable device in FIG. 10A are not illustrated to more clearly showfeatures being described. One difference between actuator 1050 a andactuator 550 is that actuator 1050 a is shaped differently. Inparticular, actuator 1050 a projects upwards to be more accessible to auser. Actuator 1050 a can slide between a first position and a secondposition similarly to actuator 550, but a portion of actuator 1050 awhich is pushed or flicked by a user can protrude upwards. In the caseof FIG. 10A, actuator 1050 a projects above a top of the wearabledevice, but this is not necessarily required.

FIG. 10B is a rear view of a wearable device which includes an actuator1050 b, which can be similar to actuator 550 discussed above. Arms ofthe wearable device in FIG. 10B are not illustrated to more clearly showfeatures being described. One difference between actuator 1050 b andactuator 550 is that actuator 1050 b is positioned on a top portion ofthe wearable device, to be more accessible to a user. A differencebetween actuator 1050 a of FIG. 10A and actuator 1050 b of FIG. 10B isthat actuator 1050 a slides on a rear side of the wearable device with aprotrusion which extends upwards, whereas actuator 1050 b slides betweena first position and a second position on a top surface of the wearabledevice.

FIG. 10C is a front view of a wearable device which includes an actuator1050 c which can be similar to actuator 550 discussed above. Onedifference between actuator 1050 c and actuator 550 is that actuator1050 c is positioned on a front side of the wearable device to be moreaccessible to a user, whereas actuator 550 is positioned on a rear sideof the wearable device to be more hidden.

FIG. 10D is a top partial cutaway view of a wearable device whichincludes an actuator 1050 d which can be similar to actuator 550described above. One difference between actuator 1050 d and actuator 550is that actuator 550 projects outward beyond a surface of the wearabledevice to be easier to actuate by the user, whereas actuator 1050 d isflush with a surface 1060 of the wearable device, such that the wearabledevice is more streamlined.

FIG. 10E is a top partial cutaway view of a wearable device whichincludes an actuator 1050 e which can be similar to actuator 550described above. One difference between actuator 1050 e and actuator 550is that actuator 550 projects outward beyond a surface of the wearabledevice to be easier to actuate by the user, whereas actuator 1050 e issunken into surface 1060 of the wearable device, such that the wearabledevice is more streamlined.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E eachillustrate implementations of actuators which are actuated by a physicalforce applied by a user, such as the user pushing or flicking theactuator. Such actuators thus require the user to reach up and touch thewearable device, which can have the advantage of being very clear tobystanders when the user is switching the wearable device between modeswhere the camera can capture meaningful data or not. Further, having aphysical camera cover which occludes a field of view of the camera in aclosed position, and requires mechanical force from the user to switchto the open position, advantageously provides a more secure system whichcannot be hacked. Systems which electrically control whether the cameracan capture meaningful data could potentially be hacked, such as bymalicious third parties, or by user who which to circumvent privacyprotections. Requiring mechanical force from the user eliminates thisissue.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are respective front partial cutaway views of a cameraprivacy system implemented in a wearable device 1100, which can besimilar in at least some respects to wearable device 400 illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B. Description of components of wearable device 400 can beapplicable to similarly numbered components in wearable device 1100.

One difference between wearable device 1100 and wearable device 400 isthat wearable device 1100 includes at least one restrain member 1140.Restrain member 1140 can limit a range of motion of camera cover 410 tobetween the open position and the closed position. In the example ofFIGS. 11A and 11B, restrain member 1140 restricts camera cover 410 frommoving beyond the closed position.

As can be seen in FIG. 11A, when camera cover 410 is in the closedposition, member 420 can contact restrain member 1140. Restrain member1140 can be mounted within wearable device 1100 to be rigid with respectto camera cover 410, such that camera cover 410 cannot move pastrestrain member 1140.

As can be seen in FIG. 11B, when camera cover 410 is in the openposition, member 420 can contact a surface 1141 within wearable device1100. Surface 1141 can be rigid with respect to member 420, such thatmember 420 cannot move past surface 1141 and thus camera cover 410cannot move beyond the open position.

FIGS. 11A and 11B only illustrate a single restrain member 1140, and asurface 1141 which can act as a second restrain member. However, in someembodiments the device 1100 can include multiple dedicated restrainmembers to limit the range of motion of camera cover 410. Further,restrain member 1140 in FIGS. 11A and 11B is illustrated as a roundprotrusion or pin. However, the present disclosure can include differentshapes of restrain members, including bars, ridges, tabs, and grooves,as non-limiting examples.

Limiting movement of the camera cover 410 and member 420 to between theopen position and the closed position can help prevent damage to thecamera privacy system. For example, absent any restrain members, shockor strong impact to wearable device 400 may cause inertial force to beimparted on camera cover 410 in a direction which will cause cameracover to move outside of the range between the open position and theclosed position, which may damage or break coupling between actuator 550and member 420. As examples, this could be bending or breaking of pin652 in FIGS. 6A and 6B, or loss of magnetic coupling between magnet 752and member 420 in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Restrain members which limit therange of motion of camera cover 410 to between the open position and theclosed position may be able to prevent this damage in the first place,by reinforcing the boundaries of movement of camera cover 410.

Further, in the case of FIGS. 7A and 7B, even if magnetic couplingbetween magnet 752 and member 420 is lost, limiting the range of motionof camera cover 410 to between the closed position and the open positionwill enable magnetic coupling to be recovered. In particular, ifmagnetic coupling is lost, camera cover 410 and member 420 will rotatefreely, without being coupled to actuator 550. Restrain members can keepthe position of camera cover 410 and member 420 to between the openposition and the closed position, such that magnetic coupling can beregained by moving actuator 550 between the first position and thesecond position until magnet 752 lines up with member 420, at whichpoint coupling will be restored. Absent any restrain members, cameracover 410 and member 420 could fall outside the range between the openposition and the closed position, such that even moving the actuator 550between the first position and the second position will not align magnet752 with member 420, making it difficult to restore magnetic coupling.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are partial cutaway views of a camera privacy systemimplemented in a wearable device 1200, which can be similar in at leastsome respects to wearable device 400 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.Description of components of wearable device 400 can be applicable tosimilarly numbered component in wearable device 1200.

One difference between wearable device 1200 and wearable device 400 isthat wearable device 1200 includes at least one bias member 1240. Biasmember 1240 can bias camera cover 410 towards either the closed positionor the open position. The exemplary bias member 1240 illustrated inFIGS. 12A and 12B can be a spring or elastic member. Bias member 1240can be coupled to wearable device 1200 at a point 1241, and bias membercan be coupled to member 420 at a point 1242. In this way, bias member1240 will pull on member 420, such that camera cover 410 is biasedtowards either the open position or the closed position. Further, point1241 and point 1242 can be chosen to straddle pivot 430 as illustratedin FIGS. 12A and 12B. In this way, when camera cover 410 is in theclosed position illustrated in FIG. 12A, bias member 1240 will pull onmember 420 to bias camera cover 410 towards the closed position.Similarly, when camera cover 410 is in the open position illustrated inFIG. 12B, bias member 1240 will pull on member 420 to bias camera cover410 towards the open position. Thus, bias member 1240 as illustrated inFIGS. 12A and 12B can help maintain camera cover 410 completely in theclosed position or completely in the open position.

FIG. 13 is a front view which illustrates an exemplary component 1300,which could be implemented in the wearable devices discussed herein,including at least wearable devices 400, 900, 1100, and 1200 in FIGS.4A, 4B, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B. Component 1300 caninclude camera cover 410 and member 420, which are rotatable aroundpivot 430, similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.Further, component 1300 includes a ballast 1321, which can be coupled toor integrally formed with member 420. Ballast 1321 can be designed tobalance the weight of component 1300 across pivot 430. In particular,due to the size of camera cover 410 which occludes a field of view of acamera, absent ballast 1321, the end of component 1300 which includescamera cover 410 will be heavier than the end which includes member 420.This will result in an inherent rotational bias around pivot 430. It canbe desirable to reduce this rotational bias to reduce the amount offorce need to move camera cover 410. To this end, balancing weight ofcomponent 1300 with ballast 1321 can reduce the rotational bias. Ballast1321 can be achieved by increasing an area of member 420 as illustratedin FIG. 13, and/or by increasing a thickness of member 420, and/or byattaching a mass to member 420.

Ballast 1321 can also increase strength of magnetic coupling betweenmagnet 752 and member 420 illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. For example,if ballast 1321 is formed of ferromagnetic material, magnet 752 willapply more magnetic force to member 420. Alternatively, ballast 1321 canitself be a magnet, which will increase magnetic coupling strength withmagnet 752.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are respective front partial cutaway views of aportion of a wearable device 1400 which illustrates another exemplarycamera privacy system. Wearable device 1400 can be similar in at leastsome respects to wearable device 400 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, anddescription of components of wearable device 400 can be applicable tosimilarly numbered components in wearable device 1400.

One difference between wearable device 1400 in FIGS. 14A and 14B, andwearable device 400 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, is that wearable device 1400includes an additional member 1420. In wearable device 400, actuator 550can be directly coupled to member 420 (e.g. directly mechanicallycoupled as in FIGS. 6A and 6B, or directly magnetically coupled as inFIGS. 7A and 7B). On the other hand, in wearable device 1400, member 420can be indirectly coupled to an actuator 550 via the additional member1420.

Camera cover 410 can be moved between a closed position as shown in FIG.14A and an open position as shown in FIG. 14B. In particular, by movingmember 1420, which in turn moves member 420, camera cover 410 rotatesaround pivot 430 between the open position and the closed position.Member 1420 can be coupled to an actuator at point 1421, such asactuator 550 described with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7A,and 7B, or actuators 1050 a, 1050 b, 1050 c, 1050 d, and 1050 edescribed with reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E. Member1420 can be mechanically coupled to an actuator at point 1421, or couldbe magnetically coupled to an actuator at point 1421.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are respective front partial cutaway views of aportion of a wearable device 1500 which illustrates another exemplarycamera privacy system. Wearable device 1500 can be similar in at leastsome respects to wearable device 400 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, anddescription of components of wearable device 400 can be applicable tosimilarly named components in wearable device 1500.

Wearable device 1500 can include a camera cover 1510 which can besimilar to camera cover 410 discussed above. Camera cover 1510 can be ina closed position in which camera cover 1510 occludes a field of view ofa camera 490, as illustrated in FIG. 15A. Camera cover 1510 can also bein an open position in which camera cover 1510 is at least partially outof the field of view of camera 490, illustrated in FIG. 15B. Cameracover 1510 can be coupled to an actuator at point 1521 by a member 1520.Member 1520 can be integrally formed with camera cover 1510, or could bea separate component coupled to camera cover 1510. At point 1521, member1520 could be coupled to an actuator, such as actuator 550 describedwith reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, or actuators1050 a, 1050 b, 1050 c, 1050 d, and 1050 e described with reference toFIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E. The actuator can be moved in adirection of a first axis 1560, which will push or pull member 1520,which in turn will slide camera cover 1510 between the closed positionand the open position.

In the example of FIGS. 15A and 15B, wearable device 1500 can include acam, which includes protrusion 1530 and guide 1531. Protrusion 1530 canprotrude from camera cover 1510 or member 1520. Protrusion 1530 can beintegrally formed with camera cover 1510 or member 1520, or could be aseparate component coupled to camera cover 1510 or member 1520.Protrusion 1530 can interface with guide 1531; for example, guide 1531could be a groove or ridge which interfaces with protrusion 1530. Inthis way, when member 1520 and camera cover 1510 are pulled or pushed bythe actuator, guide 1531 can act on protrusion 1530 and cause cameracover 1510 to move in a direction which is non-parallel to first axis1560.

In the example of FIGS. 15A and 15B, when transitioning from the closedposition to the open position (i.e. from FIG. 15A to FIG. 15B), theactuator will pull member 1520 and camera cover 1510 in the direction offirst axis 1560 generally to the left, and the cam including guide 1531and protrusion 1530 will push camera cover 1510 to move in an upwarddirection. In the reverse, when transitioning from the open position tothe closed position (i.e. from FIG. 15B to FIG. 15A), the actuator willpush member 1520 and cam cover 1510 in the direction of the first axis1560 generally to the right, and the cam including guide 1531 andprotrusion 1530 will push camera cover 1510 to move in a downwarddirection.

Alternate cam systems to that shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B could be used.For example, guide 1531 could contact camera cover 1510 or member 1520directly without the need for protrusion 1530. As another example,camera cover 1510 could rest against an interior surface of wearabledevice 1500, such that the interior surface will guide camera cover 1510in a direction non-parallel to first axis 1560.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are respective front partial cutaway views of awearable device 1600 which includes a camera privacy system which can besimilar in at least some respects to wearable device 1400 discussed withreference to FIGS. 14A and 14B. Description of components of wearabledevice 1400 can be applicable to similarly numbered components ofwearable device 1600.

One difference between wearable device 1600 and wearable device 1400 isthat wearable device 1600 includes a motor 1650. Motor 1650 can forexample be a piezoelectric actuator, which can be coupled to cameracover 410, such that motor 1650 can move camera cover 410 between theclosed position and the open position. In the example of FIGS. 16A and16B, motor 1650 is coupled to member 1420 and member 420, such thatmotor 1650 indirectly move camera cover 410. However, motor 1650 couldalso be implemented in any of the wearable devices described herein,such as wearable device 400 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or wearable device 1500in FIGS. 15A and 15B. For example, motor 1650 could be coupled to member420 in wearable device 400, such that motor 1650 can move camera cover410 between the closed position and the open position via member 420. Asanother example, motor 1650 could be coupled to member 1520 in wearabledevice 1500, such that motor 1650 can move camera cover 1510 between theclosed position and the open position via member 1520.

Advantageously, motor 1650 can enable the camera privacy systemsdescribed herein to be actuated without mechanical effort by the user.Further, motor 1650 can be included within a water or dust resistanthousing of wearable device, which eliminates the need to provideadditional sealing for externally accessible actuators. However,actuators which are manually operated by a user have other advantages,as discussed above.

In any of the wearable devices described herein, it can be desirable forat least one processor of the wearable device to be aware of theposition of a camera cover. For example, if at least one processor ofthe wearable device is aware that a camera cover is in a closedposition, applications or functions which require camera functionalitycan be disabled. The user could be reminded to move the camera cover tothe open position if use of such applications or functions is desired.The position of a camera cover could be determined in a number of waysas discussed below.

As one example, a camera could capture image data, and the at least oneprocessor could analyze the image data to determine whether the cameracover is closed. If the brightness of the captured image data is verylow, and/or if no meaningful features can be discerned from the imagedata, the at least one processor can determine that the camera cover isclosed (or that the camera is inoperable in general, such as low-lightenvironments). For the purposes of determining the position of a cameracover, resource consumption can be minimized by capturing image data oflow quality, and/or by restricting analysis performed by the at leastone processor to cursory or quick algorithms. For example, a cameracould be run in a low-power mode, in which only a subset of sensors inthe camera are active or monitored to limit the amount of data collectedand processed. As another example, the at least one processor could do asimplified brightness detection algorithm, in which the captured data isanalyzed to determine whether an average brightness or a maximumbrightness of the captured image data exceeds a threshold. Suchtechniques could reduce the power consumed and the time required todetermine the position of the camera cover.

However, to reduce the power consumed and the time required to determinethe position of the camera cover further, it may be desirable toimplement dedicated camera cover detection components. For example, anambient light sensor could be positioned adjacent a camera, such thatwhen a camera cover is in the closed position, the ambient light sensoris also covered by the camera cover. Data from the ambient light sensorcan then be analyzed to determine the position of the camera cover.

As another example, a proximity sensor could be positioned to detect anyportion of the camera cover or the actuation components (such asconnecting members). In this regard, FIGS. 17A and 17B are respectivefront partial cutaway views which illustrate an exemplary wearabledevice 1700. Wearable device 1700 can be similar in at least somerespects to wearable device 1400 discussed with reference to FIGS. 14Aand 14B. Description of components of wearable device 1400 can beapplicable to similarly numbered components in wearable device 1700.

Wearable device 1700 includes a proximity sensor 1710. When camera cover410 is in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 17A, the proximitysensor 1710 may not detect any objects in the desired proximity, whichcan be interpreted by at least one processor of wearable device 1700 tomean that camera cover 410 is in the closed position. On the other hand,when camera cover 410 is in the open position illustrated in FIG. 17B,camera cover 410 may be in front of proximity sensor 1710, such thatproximity sensor 1710 will detect an object in the desired proximity,which at least one processor of wearable device 170 may interpret tomean that camera cover 410 is in the open position.

With appropriate positioning of the proximity sensor, detection of theproximity of any given component coupled to the camera cover couldindicate the position of the camera cover. Further, a proximity sensorto determine the position of a camera cover could be implemented in anyof the camera privacy systems discussed herein, including for examplewearable device 400 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and wearable device 1500 inFIGS. 15A and 15B.

In other implementations, the position of an actuator can be detected todetermine the position of the camera cover. For example, a detectioncircuit may be included which detects the position of an actuator. Inthis regard, FIGS. 18A and 18B are top cutaway views of an exemplarywearable device 1800, which can include an actuator 550, similar to thatdescribed with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, orsimilar to actuators 1050 a, 1050 b, 1050 c, 1050 d, and 1050 edescribed with reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E.

Wearable device 1800 includes circuit 1810, which is coupled to a pairof electrical contacts 1811 and 1812, which are spatially separate fromeach other. Actuator 550 includes or is coupled to a conductive contact1820. At least one processor of wearable device 1800 can monitor thestatus of circuit 1810, to determine the position of actuator 550, andto thereby interpret the position of a camera cover coupled to actuator550. When actuator 550 is in a first position illustrated in FIG. 18A,circuit 1810 will be open. At least one processor can determine that theactuator is in the first position, and consequently interpret theposition of a camera cover (closed, in this example). When actuator 550is in a second position illustrated in FIG. 18B, contact 1820 willbridge contacts 1811 and 1812, thereby closing circuit 1810. At leastone processor can determine that the actuator is in the second position,and consequently interpret the position of a camera cover (open, in thisexample).

The correlation between the status of circuit 1810, the position ofactuator 550, and the position of the camera cover described above aremerely exemplary, and could be different in different applications. Thespecific correlation will depend on the geometry and positioning of thecomponents of a given wearable device.

In implementations which use magnetic coupling, a magnet sensor, such asa Hall-effect sensor, can be used to detect the position of the actuatoror magnetized component, from which the position of a camera cover canbe determined. In this regard, FIGS. 19A and 19B are top cutaway viewsof an exemplary wearable device 1900, which can include an actuator 550,similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Wearable device 1900 includes circuit 1910, which is coupled to amagnetic sensor 1920. Actuator 550 includes or is coupled to a magnet752. At least one processor of wearable device 1900 can monitor thestatus of the magnetic sensor 1920 via circuit 1910, to determine theposition of magnet 752, and to thereby interpret the position of acamera cover coupled to magnet 752. When actuator 550 is in a firstposition illustrated in FIG. 19A, magnet sensor 1920 is distant frommagnet 752, and thus will not detect magnet 752. From this, at least oneprocessor can determine that the actuator 550 is in the first position,and consequently interpret the position of a camera cover (closed, inthis example). When actuator 550 is in a second position illustrated inFIG. 19B, magnet sensor 1920 is close to magnet 752, and thus willdetect magnet 752. From this, the at least one processor can determinethat the actuator 550 is in the second position, and consequentlyinterpret the position of a camera cover (open, in this example).

The correlation between the position of magnet sensor 1920, the positionof magnet 752, and the position of the camera cover described above aremerely exemplary, and could be different in different applications. Thespecific correlation will depend on the geometry and positioning of thecomponents of a given wearable device. Further, in cases where otherportions of the wearable device are magnetic (such as member 420 asmentioned above), a magnet sensor could be positioned to detect theposition of such components, from which a position of the camera covercan be interpreted.

Detection circuits, such as circuit 1810 in FIGS. 18A and 18B, andcircuit 1920 in FIGS. 19A and 19B, do not necessarily need to be runthrough a wearable device on a dedicated set of electrical pathways.Instead, such circuits can be embedded with other sets of electricalpathways in a wearable device. In this regard, FIG. 20 is an isometricexposed view of a wearable device 2000, which can be similar in at leastsome respects to any of the other wearable devices described herein.Description of components anywhere in this disclosure can be applicableto similarly numbered and similarly named components in FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is an exposed view in that housing and support structurecomponents of wearable device 2000 are not shown, so that the discussedfeatures of wearable device 2000 are more clear. FIG. 20 shows a firstset of electrically conductive pathways 240 which are electricallycoupled a battery 221 to electrical components in a first arm 210 ofwearable device 2000. FIG. 20 also shows a second set of electricallyconductive pathways 244 which electrically couple electrical componentsin first arm 210 to a camera 232. A magnet sensor 1920 (or otherdetection element, like pairs of electrical contacts) can beelectrically coupled to the second set of electrically conductivepathways 244. In some implementations, magnet sensor 1920 (or similardetection element) could be mounted to the second set of electricallyconductive pathways 244, to make wearable device 2000 easier toassemble.

Throughout this specification, a variety of camera covers and relatedfeatures are described, such as with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 8A, 8B,8C, 9, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 13, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 17A, and 17B.Further, a variety of actuators and related features are described, suchas with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 10A, 10B, 10C,10D, 10E, 16A, 16B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, and 20. In general, unlesscontext clearly dictates otherwise, it is within the scope of thepresent disclosure to combine any described actuator and relatedfeatures with any described camera cover and related features.

In some implementations, one or more optical fiber(s) may be used toguide light signals along some of the paths illustrated herein.

The wearable devices described herein may include one or more sensor(s)(e.g., microphone, camera, thermometer, compass, altimeter, and/orothers) for collecting data from the user's environment. For example,one or more camera(s) may be used to provide feedback to the processorof the WHUD and influence where on the display(s) any given image shouldbe displayed.

The wearable devices described herein may include one or more on-boardpower sources (e.g., one or more battery(ies)), a wireless transceiverfor sending/receiving wireless communications, and/or a tetheredconnector port for coupling to a computer and/or charging the one ormore on-board power source(s).

The wearable devices described herein may receive and respond tocommands from the user in one or more of a variety of ways, includingwithout limitation: voice commands through a microphone; touch commandsthrough buttons, switches, or a touch sensitive surface; and/orgesture-based commands through gesture detection systems as describedin, for example, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/155,087, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/155,107,PCT Patent Application PCT/US2014/057029, and/or U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/236,060.

Throughout this specification and the appended claims the term“communicative” as in “communicative pathway,” “communicative coupling,”and in variants such as “communicatively coupled,” is generally used torefer to any engineered arrangement for transferring and/or exchanginginformation. Exemplary communicative pathways include, but are notlimited to, electrically conductive pathways (e.g., electricallyconductive wires, electrically conductive traces), magnetic pathways(e.g., magnetic media), and/or optical pathways (e.g., optical fiber),and exemplary communicative couplings include, but are not limited to,electrical couplings, magnetic couplings, and/or optical couplings.

Throughout this specification and the appended claims, infinitive verbforms are often used. Examples include, without limitation: “to detect,”“to provide,” “to transmit,” “to communicate,” “to process,” “to route,”and the like. Unless the specific context requires otherwise, suchinfinitive verb forms are used in an open, inclusive sense, that is as“to, at least, detect,” to, at least, provide,” “to, at least,transmit,” and so on.

The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what isdescribed in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specificembodiments of and examples are described herein for illustrativepurposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized bythose skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein of thevarious embodiments can be applied to other portable and/or wearableelectronic devices, not necessarily the exemplary wearable electronicdevices generally described above.

For instance, the foregoing detailed description has set forth variousembodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of blockdiagrams, schematics, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams,schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/oroperations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that eachfunction and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, orexamples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a widerange of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combinationthereof.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. To the extent that they are not inconsistent withthe specific teachings and definitions herein, each of the following areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety: U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/862,355, U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/025,820, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/145,576, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/807,856, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/754,339, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/782,918,U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/789,908, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/845,956, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/791,514, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/791,514, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/890,269, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/438,725,U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/848,265 (U.S.Publication Number 2018/0180885), U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/848,388 (U.S. Publication Number 2018/0180886),U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/450,218, U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/852,188 (U.S. PublicationNumber 2018/0210215), U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.15/852,282, (U.S. Publication Number 2018/0210213), U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 15/852,205 (U.S. Publication Number2018/0210216), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/203,278, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/216,925, U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/231,019, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/231,328, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/890,269, U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 15/661,415, U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/047,852, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/913,825, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/155,087,U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/155,107, PCT PatentApplication PCT/US2014/057029, and/or U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/236,060. Aspects of the embodiments can bemodified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of thevarious patents, applications and publications to provide yet furtherembodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wearable device comprising: a supportstructure including a housing; a camera carried by the supportstructure; a camera cover carried by the support structure, the cameracover distinct from the camera and movable between a first position anda second position, wherein in the first position the camera coveroccludes a field of view of the camera, and in the second position thecamera cover is at least partially out of the field of view of thecamera; a barrier disposed in the housing so as to seal the camera andcamera cover within the housing; and an actuator coupled to the cameracover to move the camera cover between the first position and the secondposition.
 2. The wearable device of claim 1 further comprising a firstmember, the actuator coupled to the camera cover via the first member.3. The wearable device of claim 2 wherein the camera cover is rotatableabout a pivot.
 4. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the actuatoris a sliding actuator slidable along a first axis between a thirdposition and a fourth position, wherein in the third position theactuator holds the camera cover in the first position, and in the fourthposition the actuator holds the camera cover in the second position. 5.The wearable device of claim 4, further comprising a cam to translatethe camera cover in a direction non-parallel to the first axis when theactuator transitions between the third position and the fourth position.6. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising a bias memberwhich biases the camera cover towards either the first position or thesecond position.
 7. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprisingat least one restrain member which limits a range of motion of thecamera cover.
 8. The wearable device of claim 1 wherein the actuator ismagnetically coupled to the camera cover.
 9. The wearable device ofclaim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a mechanical actuator which isoperated by mechanical force applied by a user.
 10. The wearable deviceof claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a motor.
 11. The wearabledevice of claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises: a first armto be positioned on a first side of a head of a user; a second arm to bepositioned on a second side of the head of the user opposite the firstside; and a front frame coupled to the first arm and the second arm andconfigured to carry an eyeglass lens, the front frame to be positionedon a front of the head of the user.
 12. The wearable device of claim 11,wherein the camera, the camera cover, and the actuator are disposed onthe front frame.
 13. The wearable device of claim 12, wherein the cameraand the camera cover are disposed on a first surface of the front frameand the actuator is disposed on a second surface of the front frame, thesecond surface being different from the first surface.
 14. The wearabledevice of claim 1, further comprising a detection circuit to determinewhether the camera cover is in the first position or the secondposition.
 15. The wearable device of claim 14, wherein the actuator ismagnetically coupled to the camera cover, and the detection circuitcomprises a magnet sensor to determine whether the camera cover is inthe first position or the second position.
 16. A head-mounted display(HMD) device, comprising: a first arm; and a frame coupled to the firstarm, the frame comprising: a housing; a display; a camera; a cameracover distinct from the camera and movable between a first position anda second position to at least partially occlude a field of view of thecamera, and in the second position the camera cover is at leastpartially out of the field of view of the cameras; and a barrierdisposed within the housing so as to seal the camera and camera cover inthe housing.
 17. The HMD device of claim 16, wherein the camera cover ismagnetically secured in one of the first position and the secondposition.
 18. The HMD device of claim 16, further comprising: anactuator to assist moving the camera cover between the first positionand the second position.
 19. A method, comprising: receiving an inputsignal at an actuator of a head-mounted display (HMD) device; and inresponse to the input signal, moving a camera cover of the HMD devicefrom a first position to a second position to at least partially occludea field of view of the camera, wherein the HMD device includes a barrierdisposed in a housing of the HMD device so as to seal the camera andcamera cover within the housing of the HMD device.